Looking for a slightly different way to start the new year? On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, on September 13, five Tashlich ceremonies will be held across the country, from Achziv Beach in the Western Galilee to Zikim Beach in the Western Negev. The events, initiated by Reform Movement communities in Israel, are open to the general public.
The tashlich ceremony, traditionally held near a body of water, is dedicated to soul-searching and asking to leave behind what we seek to change ahead of the new year. This year, the ceremonies will take place in several unusual locations: On the beach, alongside an ancient aqueduct, facing a lake, and in a community garden.
These are the locations:
Achziv Beach: The ceremony, initiated by the Liberal Community in the Mateh Asher Regional Council, will take place at 5:15 p.m. on the shoreline in the Western Galilee.
The Aqueduct at Caesarea Beach: The "Tefilat HaAdam" community will hold a ceremony next to the ancient aqueduct and facing the sea. The time has not yet been announced.
Gazelle Valley Park in Jerusalem: The "Kehilat HaDror" will hold a tashlich ceremony facing the lake at 4:30 p.m. The event is also suitable for families.
The Beit HaKerem Community Garden in Jerusalem: The "Achva BaKerem" community will hold a community and intimate ceremony at 5:00 p.m., open to the public.
Zikim Beach: The event, initiated by the liberal communities in the Eshkol and Sha'ar Hanegev regional councils, will take place at 5:30 p.m. This is the first tashlich ceremony at the beach since the events of October 7, and it will take place after the beach was restored and reopened to the public following a nearly two-year closure.
According to Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Reform Movement in Israel, "The tashlich ceremony is an opportunity to pause at the threshold of the new year, reflect on the past year, and think about what to take forward and what to leave behind." She added that at present, there is special significance to community gatherings in open spaces and starting a new year out of hope and renewal.